Cheap Summer Camp Options
School’s out, the weather’s great, and fun times are just calling your kid’s name …. and few things say “summer fun” quite like summer camp!
Putting your child into a summer camp program is one of the best ways that you can let them blow some steam, advance their skills, and create lifelong memories with their peers, all while leaving you free to work and take care of business as usual during the day. But summer camps can also be fairly expensive depending on the program you’re interested in. Read on to learn more about cheap summer camps and how you can enroll your child in an affordable program in the Chicago area.
The best affordable summer camp option in Chicago
Bradley Kids Summer Camp
If you’re looking for an affordable summer camp option that has a huge variety of activities to keep your kids engaged, look no further than Bradley Kids Summer Camp!
Bradley Fieldhouse is a premier indoor sports and recreation facility located in Chicago, and the summer camp and day camp programs are created specifically for your kids who love to play hard, have fun, and learn along the way. This affordable summer camp tuition includes a week filled with sports, arts and crafts, and learning activities both inside the facility and in the sunshine.
The best part: Bradley Fieldhouse believes that camp should accessible for everyone, which means that it is a great affordable Chicago summer camp option for plenty of budgets that does not compromise on your child’s experience in the process! Click here to learn more about Bradley Kids Summer Camp.
Other cheap summer camp options
YMCA Chicago Day Camp
The YMCA offers a variety of day camp and summer camp options for kids and youth in the Chicago area. The summer camp days generally operate from 7 am–6 pm and include a wide variety of activities in their schedule including reading time, hands-on learning time, and plenty of activities to keep your kids engaged during the day.
The YMCA also has various other day camp options for your kids based on their specific interests. For example, the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) camps offer plenty of learning and fun for kids who are looking for fun and education, while the Teen Leadership Camps allow younger teenagers to develop their leadership skills.
How to save money while signing up for summer camps
If you’re still concerned about the cost of signing up for a summer camp, you’re in luck: there are plenty of options out there for affording your favorites.
Take advantage of early-bird specials. Many summer camps offer early bird specials when you sign your child up for earlier in the year. Start looking at your favorite summer camp options as early as the first of the year to take advantage of potential deals and get some savings along the way.
Check to see if your camp of choice offers financial assistance. Even if a summer camp initially looks like it’s out of your budget, there are often ways that you can save money on the tuition if you reach out to the program coordinators. For example, the Chicago Park District offers financial assistance for qualifying families in the city who cannot afford the full price of day camp. In addition, many camps offer scholarship options, so don’t be afraid of asking the camp director of your choice to see whether there are any that your children can take advantage of.
Benefits of enrolling your child in a summer camp
Debating on whether or not to sign up your kids for summer camp? As it turns out, there are plenty of good reasons for both your child and yourself!
Builds lasting friendships.
One of the greatest advantages of attending summer camp is that it presents an excellent opportunity for your child to socialize with peers outside of their usual classroom groups. Summer camp brings together kids from around the city, many of whom have the same interests and goals as your own, and lets them play and socialize. It’s what summer is all about!
Keeps kids in a routine even during their summer breaks.
As fun as summer break is, it can also be really hard on your children when they’re used to a fairly predictable schedule from their usual school routines. Many day camps and summer camps adhere to a very similar schedule (usually running from around 8 or 9 am to 3 to 4pm) which means that you can get your kids up and ready during the weekdays and drop them off for the morning and afternoon just like you would during the school year. This lets you and your kids adhere to the same regular schedule -- but let’s face it, it’s probably a lot more fun for your kid!
Allows parents to continue working with their regular schedule.
Not only do summer camps allow your kids to keep up their normal routines, but it also does the same for you as a parent! When you have a safe and productive program to drop your kids off to during the day, you don’t have to scramble to hire a babysitter or nanny for the days that they’re not in their regular classes.
Plenty of productive fun.
Banish summer break boredom for good! If you’re tired of your kids complaining that they’ve run out of things to do during those long summer months, getting them into a summer camp program is the best solution. Not only do summer camps plan for a whole day of fun activities, but many camps are also specifically tailored toward your kids’ specific interests, whether they be sports, arts, or sciences. Your kids will be busy all day long, and then they can take those skills they learned and use them to advance their schooling and hobbies.
Conclusion
Happy, sunny memories are made in summer camps, and your kids should be able to participate no matter what your budget. These affordable Chicago summer camp options are great for families who want a safe and ultra-enriching camp option for their kids without compromise.
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